GUWAHATI: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an export promotion organisation under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, has exported two consignments of vegetables sourced from Kharupetia in Assam’s Darrang district to Europe and a Gulf country.
“About one tonne (700 hundred kg) of flat beans, radish and brinjals were shared among two consignments and sent to Doha and London/Ireland (only flat beans and radish) via Kolkata on Saturday. We have been informed that the consignments have successfully reached their destinations and have been cleared for sale in the respective markets,” Sunita Rai, assistant general manager, APEDA, told The Shillong Times on Monday.
The development comes just about two weeks after APEDA had facilitated a trial shipment of hyacinth/lablab beans (weighing 0.5 metric tonnes) produced by farmers in Kharupetia (Darrang district) to markets in London via Kolkata last month.
“We have been told that the consignment to Ireland will go via London. Export of more consignments of vegetables produced in the Northeast are expected in the coming days,” Rai said.
The consignments were exported through Kolkata-based Green Valley Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd.
APEDA has been working with various stakeholders to bridge the gaps for exports and to link produce of North East to the international market. The export promotion organization had in January, successfully exported trial shipments of fresh pineapples from Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya besides sending consignments of oranges produced in the Northeast to overseas markets.
APEDA plans to export oranges grown in Northeast to Dubai in December. Besides, more consignments of other fresh fruits (including a citrus fruit used for flavouring) and vegetables from the region will find a place in the international market.